Greta Gerwig To Direct Barbie Movie, Starring Margot Robbie

Greta Gerwig will direct the Barbie movie. As confirmed by Variety, the Little Women director has signed on to helm the long-in-development Barbie film, which will star Margot Robbie.

Gerwig was already attached to the project as a writer, having been previously hired to develop the screenplay with her partner, Marriage Story director Noah Baumbach. Barbie will be Gerwig's third film as director, following 2018's Ladybird and 2020's Oscar-nominated Little Women.

The Barbie movie was officially announced in 2019, following a deal between Warner Bros and Mattel Films. At the time, Warner chairman Toby Emmerich stated that it will "bring Barbie to life on screen in a fresh and relevant way for today's audiences."

As well as starring the Barbie movie, Robbie will produce for her LuckyChap production company. In an interview with Vanity Fair in 2019, Robbie admitted that a film about the iconic doll "comes with a lot of baggage, and a lot of nostalgic connections," but suggested that Gerwig's involvement will result in a movie that will surprise people.

Prior to Robbie's involvement, Amy Schumer was set to star in the Barbie film, but she exited the role in 2017. At the time, the film was reportedly set to be a mix of 3D animation and live-action, focusing on Barbie's adventures in the real world after she is evicted from Barbieland. It's unknown if Gerwig's movie will follow a similar plot.